Reddit user Independent-Design17 proposed a fascinating connection between Elden Ring's Erdtree and Australia's Christmas tree, Nuytsia floribunda. While a surface-level resemblance is evident, particularly with the game's smaller Erdtrees, deeper thematic parallels have captivated fans.
In Elden Ring lore, the Erdtree guides the souls of the departed, explaining the catacombs at its base. Interestingly, Nuytsia holds similar spiritual significance in Aboriginal Australian culture. Each flowering branch represents a deceased soul, and its vibrant color is linked to the sunset, the perceived destination of spirits.
Image: reddit.com
Further fueling the comparison is Nuytsia's semi-parasitic nature; it draws nutrients from neighboring plants. This mirrors a prevalent fan theory suggesting the Erdtree is parasitic, having overtaken the roots of a primordial Great Tree, the original source of life. However, game item descriptions referencing a "Great Tree" are now understood to be a mistranslation, referring instead to the Erdtree's own extensive root system.
The extent to which FromSoftware intentionally drew inspiration from Nuytsia remains a mystery, known only to the developers themselves.
