Reddit user Independent-Design17 proposed a fascinating theory: Elden Ring's Erdtree might be inspired by Australia's Christmas tree, Nuytsia floribunda.
Superficial similarities exist, particularly between the game's smaller Erdtrees and Nuytsia. However, deeper connections have also been noted. In Elden Ring, the Erdtree guides the souls of the deceased, reflected by the catacombs at its base. Similarly, Nuytsia holds spiritual significance in Aboriginal Australian culture, with each flowering branch representing a departed soul, its vibrant color echoing the sunset – the spirits' destination in their belief system.
Further strengthening the connection is Nuytsia's semi-parasitic nature; it draws nutrients from surrounding plants. This mirrors a popular fan theory about the Erdtree's parasitic nature, suggesting it usurped the life force of an ancient Great Tree. However, it's now understood that game descriptions referencing a "Great Tree" were a translation misinterpretation; they actually refer to the Erdtree's own extensive root system.
Ultimately, only FromSoftware knows if these parallels to Nuytsia were deliberate or coincidental.
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