Green variety of ape (3)
I believe the answer is:
pea
'green' is the definition.
(pea green is a kind of green)
'variety of ape' is the wordplay.
'variety of' is an anagram indicator.
'ape' anagrammed gives 'PEA'.
(Other definitions for pea that I've seen before include "Annual climbing plant with edible seeds" , "registered by princess in bed" , "Climber" , "Legume" , "The plant is a strange ape" .)