Bloom in auto-land (9)

I believe the answer is:

carnation

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'bloom' is the definition.
The definition and answer can be both plants as well as being singular nouns.
Perhaps they are linked in a way I don't understand?

'auto-land' is the wordplay.
'auto' becomes 'car' (synonyms).
'land' becomes 'nation' (synonyms).
'car'+'nation'='CARNATION'

'in' is the link.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for carnation that I've seen before include "Flower suitable for buttonhole ..." , "Flower like pink" , "Anoint car with the strange flower" , "Oscar Wilde wore a green one" , "Feature of many a wedding" .)

I've seen this clue in the Sydney Morning Herald.

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