Poor Mountain Natural Area Preserve

{{short description|Nature preserve in Virginia}}

{{Use mdy dates|date=January 2025}}

{{Infobox protected area

| name = Poor Mountain Natural Area Preserve

| alt_name =

| iucn_category = V

| photo =

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| map = Virginia

| map_alt =

| map_caption = Location within Virginia

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| location = Roanoke County, Virginia

| nearest_city = Salem

| coordinates = {{coord|37.2362|N|80.0917|W|region:US-VA|format=dms|display=inline,title}}

| coords_ref = {{cite web |url=https://protectedplanet.net/373378 |title=Poor Mountain |website=ProtectedPlanet |publisher=United Nations Environment Programme's World Conservation Monitoring Centre |access-date=December 26, 2016}}

| area_acre = 1404

| established =

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| governing_body = Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation

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}}

Poor Mountain Natural Area Preserve is a {{convert|1404|acre|ha|adj=on}} 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.{{cite web |url=http://www.dcr.virginia.gov/natural-heritage/natural-area-preserves/poormt |title=Poor Mountain Natural Area Preserve |publisher=Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation |access-date=August 17, 2022}} 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.{{cite web |url=http://www.dcr.virginia.gov/natural-heritage/document/pgpoormtn.pdf |title=Poor Mountain Natural Area Preserve Fact Sheet |publisher=Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation |access-date=August 17, 2022}}

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 {{convert|4|mi|spell=in}} of trails.