Crossword Genius

A woman followed about fool in food plant (7)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

cassava

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

'fool in food plant' is the definition.
The definition and answer can be both plants as well as being singular nouns.
Maybe you can see an association between them that I can't see?

'a woman followed about' is the wordplay.
'a woman' becomes 'Cass'.
'followed about' becomes 'ava' (I am not sure about this - if you are sure you should believe this answer much more).
'cass'+'ava'='CASSAVA'

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for cassava that I've seen before include "Starchy crop" , "Tropical American starchy plant" , "Edible starchy root" , "Root crop of the tropics" , "Plant yielding starch" .)

I've seen this clue in the Sydney Morning Herald.
Want a hint initially instead of a full solution? Install my app