Poor Mountain Natural Area Preserve

Poor Mountain Natural Area Preserve
IUCN category V (protected landscape/seascape)
Location within Virginia
Location	Roanoke County, Virginia
Nearest city	Salem
Coordinates	37°14′10″N 80°05′30″W / 37.2362°N 80.0917°W / 37.2362; -80.0917Coordinates: 37°14′10″N 80°05′30″W / 37.2362°N 80.0917°W / 37.2362; -80.0917[1]
Area	933 acres (378 ha)
Governing body	Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation

Poor Mountain Natural Area Preserve is a 933-acre (378 ha) Natural Area Preserve located on Poor Mountain in Roanoke County, Virginia. The preserve protects the world's largest population of piratebush (Buckleya distichophylla), a globally rare parasitic shrub. The mountain derives its name from the fact that the soils on its slopes are poor, due to their base of metamorphosed sandstone bedrock.^[2] The preserve's pine-oak/heath woodlands include Table Mountain pine, eastern hemlock, several species of oak, and shrubs including huckleberry, mountain laurel, and fetterbush.^[3]

Poor Mountain Natural Area Preserve is owned and maintained by the Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation. The preserve is open to the public, with improvements including a small parking area and four miles (6.4 km) of trails.^[3]

See also[]

• List of Virginia Natural Area Preserves

References[]

External links[]

• Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation: Poor Mountain Natural Area Preserve

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