Carbon arc is suspended around plant (9)
I believe the answer is:
narcissus
'plant' is the definition.
(narcissus is a kind of plant)
'carbon arc is suspended around' is the wordplay.
'around' says the answer is hidden in the clue.
'NARCISSUS' can be found hidden inside 'carbon arc is suspended'.
(Other definitions for narcissus that I've seen before include "Mythical egotist" , "Spring flower" , "In Greek myth, a lover of his own beauty" , "Daffodil-like bulb" , "In Greek myth, youth in love with his reflection" .)