bloodleaf

Bloodleaf has confounded exobiologists since its discovery a century ago on one of the moons of Proxtel, creating a deep schism in the scientific and vegetarian communities. Resembling an enormous fern in appearance, spore-like reproductive cycle, and photosynthetic properties, the organism also possesses a circulatory system of blood-filled capillaries pumped by a subterranean heart. Although no cerebral organ has been found, electroencephalographs have detected faint brainwave activity. The question of bloodleaf's sentience is the subject of heated debate at crashingly dull conferences by the sort of people who introduce themselves at parties as their telewave handle and think buttons proclaiming "My other body's an AbRipper Mark VI" are the height of wit.

Bloodleaf is currently classified as a plant. A very creepy plant that bleeds on you. Which of course makes them highly prized by the Goth Nation. Hormones from the plant have been found to enhance olfactory and gustatory acuity in some humanoid species, but have recently come under attack by the Vegan Church whose members fear that if bloodleaf is declared to be insentient, they might be next.