Spit, slightly twisting plant (6)

I believe the answer is:

salvia

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'plant' is the definition.
(salvia is a kind of plant)

I don't understand how the rest of the clue works.

(Other definitions for salvia that I've seen before include "Plant of genus including sage" , "Sage, for example" , "Plant of genus that includes sage" , "Herbaceous plant - shrub" , "This herb" .)

I've seen this clue in The Independent.

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