Reddit user Independent-Design17 proposed a fascinating theory: Elden Ring's Erd Tree draws inspiration from Australia's Christmas tree, Nuytsia floribunda.
Superficial similarities are undeniable, particularly when comparing the game's smaller Erd Trees to the Nuytsia. However, the parallels run deeper. Elden Ring lore positions the Erd Tree as a guide for 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 colors echoing the sunset, the believed destination of spirits.
Further bolstering this connection is the semi-parasitic nature of Nuytsia, which extracts nutrients from neighboring plants. This mirrors a popular fan theory suggesting the Erd Tree is parasitic, having usurped the life force of an ancient Great Tree. However, recent analysis suggests that game descriptions referencing a "Great Tree" are mistranslations, actually referring to the Erd Tree's own extensive root system.
Ultimately, whether FromSoftware intentionally incorporated Nuytsia floribunda as inspiration remains a mystery, known only to the developers themselves.
