Tipularia discolor, Crane Fly Orchid can be found in deciduous, shady forests and relies on humus-rich soils to germinate and develop.  It grows a single leaf in September that lasts throughout the winter and disappears in the spring. The leaf top is green, often with dark purple spots. The leaf underside is a striking purple color. Then in the late spring to early summer the leaves fall off and the orchid blooms, from mid-July to late August. When the orchid flowers, no more leaves grow for the duration of the bloom (June - September). The flowering stalk grows .5 - 2' tall, standing erect. The roots are a connected series of edible corms. They are starchy and almost potato-like.
 
These orchids are pollinated by owlet moths.
 
Common in the mountains and Piedmont. Click to see it's range in North Carolina
 
More info here