Elden Ring Fans Uncover Festive 'Tree of Erd' Resemblance

A Reddit user, Independent-Design17, proposed an intriguing theory: Elden Ring's Erdtree draws inspiration from Australia's Christmas tree, Nuytsia floribunda.

Superficial similarities exist, particularly between the game's smaller Erdtrees and Nuytsia. However, fans have unearthed deeper connections. In Elden Ring, the Erdtree guides the souls of the deceased, explaining the catacombs at its base. Similarly, Aboriginal Australian culture reveres Nuytsia as a "spirit tree," its blossoms representing departed souls, their vibrant hues echoing the sunset, the spirits' purported destination.

Further bolstering the theory is Nuytsia's semi-parasitic nature; it thrives by drawing nutrients from neighboring plants. This mirrors a popular fan theory suggesting the Erdtree is parasitic, having usurped the life force of an ancient Great Tree. However, game lore reveals that references to a "Great Tree" are mistranslations; the text actually refers to the Erdtree's own extensive root system.

Whether FromSoftware intentionally incorporated these Nuytsia parallels remains a mystery, known only to the developers.