Creeping Kinos Vine (KEE-nohs)

Kinos vine is a bioluminescent carnivorous plant that grows on the walls deep in cave systems. It is incredibly toxic and can cause chemical burns within minutes of physical contact. The fruit it bears, however, is not only edible but extremely tasty.

Basic Information

Anatomy

The vines are covered in microscopic barbs that penetrate the skin allowing the venom to enter the body. These barbs are small enough that the majority of victims don't feel them puncture their flesh, and only become aware after the venom begins to take effect. 
Mature vines grow clusters of blue bioluminescent berries within white flowers. The berries cannot grow without the flower, one may harvest the berries and they will continue to grow. If one picks the flower they grow in, however, they will not. Kinos berries are fully edible, unlike the rest of the plant. The skin is somewhat tart and the interior is very sweet.

Ecology and Habitats

Kinos vine naturally grows along the walls deep in cave systems, in areas with near to no light.

Dietary Needs and Habits

The venom causes the skin to rapidly deteriorate, and the vines absorb the nutrients from the flesh. Kinos vines don't create their own food, and rely entirely on absorbing nutrients from animals. The bioluminescence and appealing taste of the berries serve as a lure to attract animals to the vines.

Additional Information

Uses, Products & Exploitation

The two primary uses for creeping kinos vines is the venom and the berries. 

Venom

The venom secreted from the vines are incredibly potent, it quickly paralyzes the victim and causes the affected flesh to deteriorate allowing the plant to absorb the nutrients. This venom takes effect within sixty seconds of contact. 
The venom only works when it enters the body however. Tests in which the venom was extracted from the vines and rubs onto living flesh with no punctures or wounds had little effect on the subject, aside from a tingling sensation where the venom was applied. 
The venom is equally, if not more dangerous to ingest. While paralysis and rapid flesh deterioration both occur, the deterioration begins in the lining of the stomach making it nearly impossible to treat before it is too late. 
A small percentage of demonics are immune to the effects of the venom.
The venom can be extracted by boiling a freshly harvested vine.

Berries 

The berries that grow on mature kinos vines are edible and very sweet, almost akin to sour candy in flavor. However because of the inherent risk involved in harvesting and devouring them, the berries are not widely available. 
Harvested kinos berries are carefully evaluated and highly regulated. If a single berry is found to have traces of kinos venom on it, the entire batch must be discarded.

Harvesting and Preparation

Since the kinos vine is described as having needle-like thorns and producing a toxin that can paralyze animals, it would be important for anyone attempting to harvest the berries to wear protective clothing, such as gloves, long sleeves, and pants, to prevent being pricked by the thorns and exposed to the toxin. Because the berries are small with small stems which attatches them to the vine, a specialized scoop with narrow slits is employed to gently pry the berries off of the vine without requiring direct contact between the harvester and the plant.
The berries can be eaten fresh, or dried or frozen to extend their shelf-life.