| Poor Mountain Natural Area Preserve | |
| Iucn Category: | V |
| Map: | Virginia |
| Location: | Roanoke County, Virginia |
| Nearest City: | Salem |
| Coordinates: | 37.2362°N -80.0917°W |
| Coords Ref: | [1] |
| Area Acre: | 1404 |
| Governing Body: | Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation |
Poor Mountain Natural Area Preserve is a 1404acres 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 4miles of trails.[3]