Plant leaves grows flat on ground with flower stalks with small purple flowers grows in shade near oak tree
Hi Jake,
your plant is called Elephant’s-foot, Elephantopus tomentosus. It is in the Asteraceae, or aster family. There are 4 species of Elephantopus in the Carolinas. This one is rather common and widespread.
Sincerely,
Dr. Steven Hill, Botanist, SCNPS