Dangerous reptiles surrounding union leader in plant (6)
I believe the answer is:
crocus
'in plant' is the definition.
'crocus' can be an answer for 'plant' (I've seen this before). I am unsure of the 'in' bit.
'dangerous reptiles surrounding union leader' is the wordplay.
'dangerous reptiles' becomes 'crocs' (crocodiles).
'surrounding' indicates putting letters inside.
'leader' says to take the initial letters.
The initial letter of 'union' is 'u'.
'crocs' going around 'u' is 'CROCUS'.
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for crocus that I've seen before include "Small plant with yellow, purple or white flowers" , "Early flowering bulb" , "Plant from a corm" , "Occurs (anagram)" , "it's ready for spring" .)