Crossword Genius

Interference having scope to proliferate (8)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

mushroom

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

'interference having scope' is the wordplay.
'interference' becomes 'mush' (I can't explain this - if you can you should believe this answer much more).
'having' is a charade indicator (letters next to each other).
'scope' becomes 'room' (both can mean space).
'mush'+'room'='MUSHROOM'

'to' is the link.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for mushroom that I've seen before include "Rapidly increase; fungus" , "Grow rapidly" , "Proliferate" , "parasol, for instance" , "Grow very fast" .)

I've seen this clue in The Telegraph.
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