Crossword Genius

A large tree or a small plant on a mountainside (6)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

alpine

I'm a little stuck... Click here to teach me more about this clue!

'a small plant on a mountainside' is the definition.
I can't judge whether this definition defines the answer.

'a large tree' is the wordplay.
'large' becomes 'l'.
'tree' becomes 'pine' (pine is a kind of tree**).
'a'+'l'+'pine'='ALPINE'

'or' acts as a link.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for alpine that I've seen before include "Relating to high mountains" , "Nepali (anag.)" , "seen in rocky state?" , "Plant of high mountains" , "Relating to a European mountain range" .)

I've seen this clue in the Irish Times.
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