Reddit user Independent-Design17 proposed a fascinating theory: Elden Ring's Erdtree draws inspiration from Australia's Christmas tree, Nuytsia floribunda.
Superficial similarities are undeniable, particularly when comparing the game's smaller Erdtrees to the Nuytsia. However, the parallels run deeper. Elden Ring lore depicts the Erdtree as a guide for the souls of the deceased, explaining the catacombs at its base. Intriguingly, Aboriginal Australian culture views Nuytsia as a "spirit tree," with each flowering branch representing a departed soul, its vibrant color echoing the sunset, the believed destination of spirits.
Image: reddit.com
Further bolstering this connection is Nuytsia's semi-parasitic nature; it thrives by absorbing nutrients from surrounding vegetation. 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, recent analysis suggests that in-game references to a "Great Tree" are mistranslations, actually referring to the Erdtree's own extensive root system.
Ultimately, whether FromSoftware intentionally incorporated Nuytsia floribunda as inspiration remains a mystery.
