Crossword Genius

It features in botany and arithmetic (4)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

root

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'it features' is the definition.
The definition suggests a singular noun which matches the answer.

'botany and arithmetic' is the wordplay.
'botany' becomes 'oot' (I can't explain this - if you can you should give a lot more credence to this answer).
'and' is a charade indicator (letters next to each other).
'arithmetic' becomes 'r' (one of the traditional three R's of education).
'oot' after 'r' is 'ROOT'.

'in' acts as a link.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for root that I've seen before include "Reptile" , "Turn up with the snout." , "Derivation" , "Underground growth" , "Source; firmly establish" .)

I've seen this clue in The Globe and Mail.
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