Hudsonia montana is a rare species of flowering plant in the rock-rose family

Cistaceae

The Cistaceae is a small family of plants known for its beautiful shrubs, which are profusely covered by flowers at the time of blossom...

 known by the common name mountain golden heather. It is endemic to North Carolina

North Carolina

North Carolina is a state located in the southeastern United States. The state borders South Carolina and Georgia to the south, Tennessee to the west and Virginia to the north. North Carolina contains 100 counties. Its capital is Raleigh, and its largest city is Charlotte...

, where it is present in only two counties. It is a federally listed threatened species of the United States.

This is a small shrub

Shrub

A shrub or bush is distinguished from a tree by its multiple stems and shorter height, usually under 5–6 m tall. A large number of plants may become either shrubs or trees, depending on the growing conditions they experience...

 forming low bushes up to 30 or 40 centimeters tall. The spreading stems are covered in green, needle-like leaves and the plant blooms in bright yellow flowers in June and July.

The plant is known from Burke

Burke County, North Carolina

-Demographics:As of the census of 2000, there were 89,148 people, 34,528 households, and 24,342 families residing in the county. The population density was 176 people per square mile . There were 37,427 housing units at an average density of 74 per square mile...

 and McDowell Counties

McDowell County, North Carolina

-Cities and towns:*Marion *Old Fort-Unincorporated places:*West Marion*Little Switzerland*Nebo*Glenwood*Pleasant Gardens*North Cove-Education:The following is a list of schools located in McDowell County:*Marion Elementary School...

 in North Carolina. There are seven populations.

This species is sometimes considered a subspecies of Hudsonia ericoides.