Flower linking destiny with America (5)

I believe the answer is:

lotus

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'flower' is the definition.
(I've seen this before)

'destiny with america' is the wordplay.
'destiny' becomes 'lot' (I've seen this before).
'with' is a charade indicator (letters next to each other).
'america' becomes 'us' (abbreviation for the United States).
'lot'+'us'='LOTUS'

'linking' is the link.
I am not very happy about this link. It may belong to another bit of the clue.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for lotus that I've seen before include "Tropical water-lily" , "Fruit of forgetfulness - water lily - car marque" , "F1 team and car maker" , "Water lily - fruit inducing forgetfulness" , "Mythological fruit - lily" .)

I've seen this clue in The Telegraph.

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