Destroyed ample plant (5)
I believe the answer is:
maple
'plant' is the definition.
The answer is an example.
'destroyed ample' is the wordplay.
'destroyed' indicates anagramming the letters.
'ample' anagrammed gives 'MAPLE'.
(Other definitions for maple that I've seen before include "Tree with winged fruits" , "Hard light-coloured wood used for furniture" , "Cathedral city in Devon" , "Its leaf is the emblem of Canada" , "Leaves on this" .)