Elden Ring fans consider the Tree of Erd to be a “Christmas tree”

Reddit user Independent-Design17 proposed a fascinating connection between Elden Ring's Erdtree and the Australian Christmas tree, Nuytsia floribunda. The resemblance is striking, particularly when comparing the smaller Erdtrees within the game. However, the similarities extend beyond mere aesthetics.

Elden Ring lore depicts the Erdtree as a guide for the souls of the deceased, reflected by the catacombs at its base. Intriguingly, Nuytsia floribunda holds a similar spiritual significance in Australian Aboriginal culture. Each flowering branch represents a departed soul, and its vibrant colors are linked to the sunset, the believed destination of spirits.

Further strengthening this connection is the semi-parasitic nature of Nuytsia floribunda, which draws 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 (though in-game references to a "Great Tree" are now understood to be a translation misinterpretation, referring instead to the Erdtree's own vast root system).

Ultimately, whether FromSoftware intentionally drew inspiration from Nuytsia floribunda remains a mystery, known only to the developers themselves.