Summary
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An Elden Ring fan has suggested that the Erdtree could be based on the Western Australian Christmas tree.
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Not only do they look extremely similar, but both trees are believed to house the souls of the dead.
The most iconic image of Elden Ring is, without a doubt, the Erdtree. Clearly inspired by the World Tree from the Berserk manga that Hidetaka Miyazaki so often draws inspiration from, it can be seen stretching its branches across the sky across the Middle Lands.
The World Tree is inspired by Yggdrasil and the Bodhi Tree of Norse mythology and Buddhism, from which Elden Ring also seems to draw inspiration.
But Reddit user Independent-Design17 thinks there's another inspiration we've missed: the Nuytsia floribund, aka Western Australian Christmas tree.
Even at Christmas, Elden Ring fans are digging deep into the tradition
As they point out, it looks a lot like the Erdtree, especially the Lesser ones. But there are similarities much deeper than mere aesthetics.
In Elden Ring, we learn that the souls of the dead were ceremoniously brought to the Erdtree, which is why we find catacombs built around its giant roots. Demigods and champions are even “carved from the Erdtree” into memories. The cycle of life and death is a key part of its myth and the Nuytsia has a similar cultural significance.
As explained on the City of Margaret River website by author Sharnae Watson, Wadandi Aboriginal people know the Nuytsia as a “spiritual tree”, with each flower representing the soul of someone who has died. Given the bright and vibrant coloration, it is often seen as a sunset. And so spirits are believed to travel across Australia, through “cave and ocean”, to finally rest, just as they do in Elden Ring.
Another connection drawn by Independent-Design17 ties into a popular theory among Elden Ring fans. It is often claimed that the Erdtree is a parasite that infested the roots of an original, primordial Great Tree. This Great Tree is believed to house the Crucible, a crucible of all life. Likewise, Nuytsia is a hemiparasite, stealing water and minerals from surrounding plants to survive.
However, it is worth noting that the parasite theory is highly contested. For one thing, the “Great Tree” mentioned in the various item descriptions does not exist. It is the result of a translation error (as pointed out by LaMi_1). Actually, the translation should be “Great Roots” of the Erdtree itself. However, some still believe that it is a parasite and that it was planted by the Greater Will with bad intentions.
Regardless, there are some striking similarities between the Erdtree, both visually and thematically, and the Nuytsia. Whether it's intentional or not, only FromSoftware can confirm. But still a fun excuse to replay Elden Ring this Christmas, eh?

With world-building by Game of Thrones writer George RR Martin and developed by FromSoftware, Elden Ring is a masterpiece in what has become known as the “Soulslike” genre of action role-playing games.