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Blossoming growth area behind favourite academic institution (7)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

petunia

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'blossoming growth' is the definition.
Although both the answer and definition are singular nouns, I cannot see how they can define each other.

'area behind favourite academic institution' is the wordplay.
'area' becomes 'a' (maths abbreviation).
'behind' means one lot of letters go next to another.
'favourite' becomes 'pet' (synonyms).
'academic institution' becomes 'uni' (university).
'pet'+'uni'='petuni'
'a' put after 'petuni' is 'PETUNIA'.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for petunia that I've seen before include "Plant related to tobacco" , "Common garden 13 across" , "Plant cultivated for its white, pink, blue or purple funnel-shaped flowers" , "Popular plant for baskets" , "Garden plant with large funnel-shaped flower" .)

I've seen this clue in The Independent.
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