Reddit user Independent-Design17 proposed an intriguing 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 Nuytsia. However, fans have unearthed deeper parallels. In Elden Ring, the Erdtree guides the souls of the deceased, a concept reflected in the catacombs found at its base. Similarly, Nuytsia holds significant spiritual importance in Australian Aboriginal culture, its flowering branches symbolizing the souls of the departed, their vibrant colors echoing the sunset, the believed 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's parasitic nature, with speculation that it usurped the life force of an ancient Great Tree. However, it's now understood that references to a "Great Tree" in item descriptions are a translation error, actually referring to the Erdtree's own "Great Roots."
Ultimately, whether these parallels to Nuytsia floribunda are intentional design choices by FromSoftware remains a mystery, known only to the developers themselves.
