Crossword Genius

Female pal became a national symbol (9)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

mapleleaf

I'm a little stuck... Click here to teach me more about this clue!

'a national symbol' is the definition.
I know nothing about this answer so I can't tell whether it can be defined by this definition.

'female pal became' is the wordplay.
'became' indicates an anagram (I've seen 'becomes' mean this).
'female'+'pal'='femalepal'
'femalepal' anagrammed gives 'MAPLELEAF'.

Can you help me to learn more?

I've seen this clue in The Daily Express.
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