Reddit user Independent-Design17 proposed a fascinating connection between Elden Ring's Erdtree and the Australian Christmas tree, Nuytsia floribunda. Superficial similarities are evident, particularly when comparing the game's smaller Erdtrees to the Nuytsia. However, the parallels run deeper.
Elden Ring lore depicts the Erdtree as a guiding force for the souls of the deceased, explaining the catacombs at its base. Intriguingly, Nuytsia floribunda holds similar spiritual significance in Australian Aboriginal culture. Its flowering branches are seen as representing the souls of the departed, and its vibrant color is linked to the sunset, the perceived destination of spirits.
Further strengthening the connection is the semi-parasitic nature of Nuytsia, which draws nutrients from neighboring plants. This mirrors a popular fan theory suggesting the Erdtree is parasitic, having overtaken the roots of an ancient Great Tree, the original source of life. However, recent analysis suggests that references to a "Great Tree" in game descriptions are mistranslations, actually referring to the Erdtree's own extensive root system.
Ultimately, whether these striking similarities between Nuytsia floribunda and the Erdtree are deliberate design choices or coincidental remains a mystery, known only to FromSoftware.
