Crossword Genius

He left fuel around rear of house for plant (10)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

heliotrope

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

'plant' is the definition.
Although both the answer and definition are singular nouns, I don't understand how one could define the other.

'he left fuel around rear of house' is the wordplay.
'left' becomes 'port' (left side of a ship - opposite of starboard).
'fuel' becomes 'oil' (oil is a type of fuel).
'around' says the letters should be written in reverse.
'rear of' indicates one should take the final letters.
The last letter of 'house' is 'e'.
'port'+'oil'='portoil'
'portoil' back-to-front is 'liotrop'.
'he'+'liotrop'+'e'='HELIOTROPE'

'for' is the link.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for heliotrope that I've seen before include "Plant" , "fragrant flower" , "shade of purple" .)

I've seen this clue in The Daily Mail.
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