This is a purple leaved plant newly erupting from the ground. It’s kind of at the edge between a high canopy wood and a meadow towards the sun. Moist soil. I don’t know if it’s something invasive that I should remove or native and I should leave. Thanks!
Hi April,
these are the very early emergent leaves of the rather common wild orchid Tipularia discolor. It is called the crane fly orchid, and it only flowers in the summer after the leaves have disappeared. They last through the winter. There are few pictures of this on the internet at this early stage. As they mature the upper surfaces will lose the purple color but the undersides will retain it. I’d keep it!
Sincerely,
Dr, Steven Hill, Botanist, SCNPS