Hexastylis naniflora

Hexastylis naniflora is a rare species of flowering plant in the birthwort family known by the common name dwarf-flowered heartleaf. It is endemic to the Piedmont region of the United States, where it is limited to a small area straddling the border between North Carolina and South Carolina. It is a federally listed threatened species. This is a rhizomatous perennial herb forming a small patch on the ground, the leaves emerging from the underground rhizome. The evergreen leaves have leathery heart-shaped blades. The plant produces one new leaf per year. The fleshy brown flowers are jug-shaped and may remain buried in the leaf litter. This plant occurs in oak-hickory-pine plant communities. It typically grows on slopes near streams in moist, acidic soils. It is associated with Kalmia latifolia (mountain-laurel) and can often be found growing beneath it. It is associated with several species of oak, particularly Quercus coccinea (scarlet oak), Quercus montana (chestnut oak), and Quercus ......read more on Wikipedia.