Reddit user Independent-Design17 proposed a fascinating connection: the Elden Ring's Erdtree might be inspired by the Australian Christmas tree, Nuytsia floribunda.
Superficial similarities are undeniable, particularly when comparing the game's smaller Erdtrees to the Nuytsia. However, fans have unearthed more profound parallels. In Elden Ring, the Erdtree guides the souls of the departed, a concept reflected in the catacombs at its base. Interestingly, Aboriginal Australian culture also views Nuytsia as a "spirit tree," with each flowering branch representing a deceased soul, its vibrant color echoing the sunset—the spirits' purported destination.
Adding another layer to this comparison is Nuytsia's semi-parasitic nature. It thrives by absorbing nutrients from neighboring plants. This resonates with a popular fan theory suggesting the Erdtree is parasitic, having overtaken the roots of an ancient Great Tree, the original life source. However, it's now understood that references to a "Great Tree" in game descriptions are mistranslations, actually referring to the Erdtree's own extensive root system.
Only FromSoftware knows if these Nuytsia parallels are deliberate or coincidental.
