Elden Ring's Tree of Erd Dubbed "Christmas Tree" by Fans

Reddit user Independent-Design17 has sparked an intriguing conversation by suggesting that the Erd Tree in Elden Ring may draw inspiration from the Australian Christmas tree, Nuytsia floribunda. The resemblance between the Small Erd Trees in the game and Nuytsia is striking at first glance, but the connections go much deeper.

In Elden Ring, the souls of the deceased are drawn to the Erd Tree, which is why catacombs are often found at its roots. This mirrors the cultural significance of Nuytsia in Australian Aboriginal traditions, where it's known as a "spirit tree." Each flowering branch of Nuytsia is believed to represent the soul of a departed individual, and its vibrant colors are linked to the sunset—a time when spirits are thought to transition.

Image: reddit.com

Another fascinating parallel is Nuytsia's semi-parasitic nature, as it draws nutrients from surrounding plants. This has fueled speculation among Elden Ring fans about the Erd Tree's own parasitic tendencies. Some believe the Erd Tree usurped the roots of the ancient Great Tree, which was considered the life source. However, it's worth noting that references to the "Great Tree" in the game's item descriptions may be due to a translation error, and they might actually pertain to the "Great Roots" of the Erd Tree itself.

Whether these similarities between the Erd Tree and Nuytsia floribunda are intentional or mere coincidence remains a mystery known only to the developers at FromSoftware.