Crossword Genius

Bird initially near atomic plant (5)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

henna

'plant' is the definition.
(plant which henna dye is made from)

'bird initially near atomic' is the wordplay.
'bird' becomes 'hen' (hen is a kind of bird).
'initially' indicates taking the first letters.
The first letters of 'near atomic' is 'na'.
'hen'+'na'='HENNA'

(Other definitions for henna that I've seen before include "Beauty aid" , "Red-brown dye used for body decorations" , "Hair/skin dye" , "Red-brown plant dye" , "Natural hair dye" .)

I've seen this clue in The Independent and The Sun.
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