A fire at the national park Drents-Friese Wold has resulted in a number of rare mushroom species springing up, public broadcaster NOS reports.

In 2018 some 75 hectares of the reserve went up in flames leaving burned soil and charred wood on which a number of rare species thrive. After looking for the mushrooms for a year and a half researchers have so far come across the violet fairy cup (Peziza sepiatra), the fungus Pyronema Omphalodes, which has no common name, and the bonfire scalycap (Pholiota Highlandensis).

There are some 50 rare mushroom species in the Netherlands which will only grow in areas which have been hit by fire. Almost all are on the red list of threatened species because the Netherlands has all but banned controlled fires in natural areas. The mushrooms play an important role in preparing the soil for new growth.

The Netherlands is home to over 6,000 mushroom species, 1619 of which threatened with extinction.