Cut one first-class flower (10)

I believe the answer is:

gaillardia

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'flower' 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?

'cut one first-class' is the wordplay.
'cut' becomes 'gaillard' (I can't explain this - if you can you should believe this answer much more).
'one' becomes 'i' (Roman numeral).
'first class' becomes 'A' (as in A-list, A-team etc).
'gaillard'+'i'+'a'='GAILLARDIA'

Can you help me to learn more?

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

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