Crossword Genius

Flower people seen under vehicle (9)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

carnation

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

'flower' is the definition.
(carnation is a kind of flower)

'people seen under vehicle' is the wordplay.
I cannot really see how this works, but
'people' could be 'nation' and 'nation' is found within the answer.
'vehicle' could be 'car' (car is a kind of vehicle) and 'car' is found in the answer.
This accounts for all the letters.
This may be the basis of the clue (or it may be nonsense).

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for carnation that I've seen before include "Oscar Wilde wore a green one" , "Flower suitable for buttonhole ..." , "Pink/white/red flower" , "Not in a car (anag) - plant" , "Flower like pink" .)

I've seen this clue in The Telegraph and The Sun.
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