Bulbs in a quarter of the lightest fabrications (6)
I believe the answer is:
lilies
'bulbs in a quarter of' is the definition.
The definition and answer can be both plants as well as being plural nouns.
Perhaps there's an association between them I don't understand?
'lightest fabrications' is the wordplay.
'lightest' becomes 'li' (I can't justify this - if you can you should believe this answer much more).
'fabrications' becomes 'lies' (I've seen this before).
'li'+'lies'='LILIES'
'the' is the link.
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for lilies that I've seen before include "Flowers for when 'e is ill" , "Plants with slender stems and large trumpet-shaped flowers" , "bloomers" , "Luke: ` `Behold the ...... of the field' '" , "'Showy flowers, most have a strong smell (6)'" .)