The vine you're likely thinking of is Strychnos toxifera, also known as curare.

Here's why:

* Tropical America: It's native to the Amazon rainforest and other parts of tropical South America.

* Poison: It contains a potent neurotoxin called strychnine which is used to create curare, a paralyzing poison traditionally used by indigenous tribes for hunting and warfare.

* Deters creatures: The poison makes the leaves extremely bitter and toxic, effectively discouraging most animals from consuming them.

However, it's worth noting that some animals have developed resistance to curare, such as the poison dart frog, which uses it to produce its own toxic skin secretions.