Grain stalks (5)
I believe the answer is:
straw
'grain stalks' is the definition.
(I've seen this before)
This is all the clue.
(Other definitions for straw that I've seen before include "remnant of harvest" , "Pale yellow colour" , "Disastrously, it may be the last" , "Dried corn stalks" , "Means to absorb" .)