Reddit user Independent-Design17 proposed a fascinating theory: Elden Ring's Erdtree might draw inspiration from Australia's Christmas tree, Nuytsia floribunda.
Superficial similarities are undeniable, particularly when comparing the game's smaller Erdtrees to the Nuytsia. However, fans have unearthed deeper connections. In Elden Ring, the Erdtree guides the souls of the departed, explaining the catacombs at its base. Interestingly, Aboriginal Australian culture views Nuytsia as a "spirit tree," with each flowering branch representing a deceased soul, its vibrant color echoing the sunset – the spirits' final destination according to their beliefs.
Further strengthening this connection 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 a primordial Great Tree, the original source of life. However, it's now understood that references to a "Great Tree" in game descriptions are mistranslations; they actually refer to the Erdtree's own extensive root system.
Only FromSoftware knows if these parallels to Nuytsia floribunda are deliberate or coincidental.
