Poor Mountain Natural Area Preserve

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
IUCN category V (protected landscape/seascape)
Location within Virginia
LocationRoanoke County, Virginia
Nearest citySalem
Coordinates37°14′10″N 80°05′30″W[1]
Area933 acres (378 ha)
Governing bodyVirginia Department of Conservation and Recreation

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
  1. "Poor Mountain". ProtectedPlanet. United Nations Environment Programme's World Conservation Monitoring Centre. Retrieved December 26, 2016.
  2. "Poor Mountain Natural Area Preserve". Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation. Retrieved December 26, 2016.
  3. "Poor Mountain Natural Area Preserve Fact Sheet" (PDF). Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation. Retrieved December 26, 2016.


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