Crossword Genius

Flower worn by a colourful hero? (9)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

pimpernel

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

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

'worn by a colourful hero?' is the wordplay.
I cannot really see how this works, but
'by' could be 'per' (I've seen this in another clue) and 'per' is found within the answer.
This may be the basis of the clue (or it may be nonsense).

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for pimpernel that I've seen before include "The Scarlet ..., aka Sir Percy Blakeney" , "Target for revolutionary French" , "rarely identified in France" , "(Scarlet) plant of the primrose family" , "of the English aristocracy once sought after in Paris?" .)

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