Reddit user Independent-Design17 proposed an intriguing connection between Elden Ring's Erdtree and the Australian Christmas tree, Nuytsia floribunda. Superficial similarities exist, particularly when comparing the game's smaller Erdtrees to the Nuytsia. However, fans have uncovered more profound parallels.
In Elden Ring lore, the Erdtree guides the souls of the deceased, explaining the catacombs at its base. Similarly, Aboriginal Australian culture reveres Nuytsia as a "spirit tree," with each flowering branch representing a departed soul. Its vibrant color is linked to the sunset, the perceived destination of spirits.
Further strengthening this connection is Nuytsia's semi-parasitic nature; it draws nutrients from neighboring plants. This mirrors a popular fan theory suggesting the Erdtree is parasitic, having usurped the life force of an ancient Great Tree (though in-game references to a "Great Tree" are now understood to be a translation error, referring instead to the Erdtree's own extensive root system).
Ultimately, whether FromSoftware intentionally drew inspiration from Nuytsia floribunda remains a mystery known only to the developers.
