Crossword Genius

Desert island where palms grow (5)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

oasis

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'where palms grow' is the definition.
(I've seen this before)

'desert island' is the wordplay.
'desert' becomes 'oas' (I can't justify this - if you can you should give a lot more credence to this answer).
'island' becomes 'is' (geographical abbreviation).
'oas'+'is'='OASIS'

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for oasis that I've seen before include "Noel & Liam's band" , "Fertile tract in a desert" , "Place of rest in the midst of gloom" , "Desert sanctuary" , "Place of refreshment" .)

I've seen this clue in The Globe and Mail.
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