Accountant back on problem? This may bear fruit (5)
I believe the answer is:
sumac
'may bear fruit' is the definition.
The definition and answer can be both plants as well as being singular nouns.
Perhaps you can see an association between them that I can't see?
'accountant back on problem?' is the wordplay.
'accountant' becomes 'CA' (abbreviation for chartered accountant).
'back' shows that the letters should be reversed in order.
'on' says to put letters next to each other.
'problem?' becomes 'sum' (arithmetic problem).
'ca' in reverse letter order is 'ac'.
'ac' after 'sum' is 'SUMAC'.
'this' acts as a link.
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for sumac that I've seen before include "Garden shrub" , "Subtropical tree" , "Small tree bright in autumn" , "Tree or shrub; reverse of French writer" , "Spice" .)