Crossword Genius

First and last letters have a strange seal with flowers (7)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

azaleas

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

'flowers' is the definition.
The answer and definition can be both plants as well as being plural nouns.
Maybe they are linked in a way I don't understand?

'first and last letters have a strange seal' is the wordplay.
'first and' becomes 'a' (zst letter of 'and').
'last letters have' becomes 'za' (I can't justify this - if you can you should believe this answer much more).
'a strange' is an anagram indicator.
'seal' is an anagram of 'leas'.
'a'+'za'+'leas'='AZALEAS'

'with' acts as a link.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for azaleas that I've seen before include "Smaller rhododendrons" , "Flowering shrubs" .)

I've seen this clue in the Sydney Morning Herald.
Want a hint initially instead of a full solution? Install my app