Inspiration for the Sylvari?
The Slvari are basically just elves with a twist added in. And the Nightmare court is very similar to the Unseelie court in Fey myths.
Dr. Who told them how they should look like:
http://tardis.wikia.com/wiki/File:Forest_of_cheem.jpg
;-)
Disagree. Dryads.
Tarnished Coast Server
You realise Anet did an entire blog post and video on the development of the Sylvari redesign.
Of course they draw on existing plant based lifeforms from other fantasy worlds as inspirations, but they are rather unique in appearance.
(That video is unlikely to have any bearing since GW2 was already well into development before 2008 (which is the date of creation in the credits of that short), and yes the Sylvari were redesigned, but the redesign worked off of the original design and towards something unique) – Also I think that video is terrifying, the Sylvari however are extremely attractive.