Crossword Genius

A mite invading cloche possibly where a plant is growing (7)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

habitat

'where a plant is growing' is the definition.

'a mite invading cloche possibly' is the wordplay.
'mite' becomes 'bit' (both can mean a small amount).
'invading' is an insertion indicator.
'cloche possibly' becomes 'hat' (cloche is a type of hat).
'a'+'bit'='abit'
'abit' placed within 'hat' is 'HABITAT'.

(Other definitions for habitat that I've seen before include "Shop founded by Terence Conran" , "British retailer" , "Bath at 1? (anag)" , "Domain" , "place haunted" .)

I've seen this clue in The Times.
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