Crossword Genius

Neill leave friend in starchy cereal plant? (4,4)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

sago palm

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

'starchy cereal plant?' is the definition.
'sago palm' can be an answer for 'plant?' (sago palm is a kind of plant). I am unsure of the 'starchy cereal' bit.

'neill leave friend in' is the wordplay.
'neill' becomes 'sam' (I am not sure about this - if you are sure you should believe this answer much more).
'leave' becomes 'go' (to go is to depart or leave).
'friend' becomes 'pal' (pal can mean a friend).
'in' means one lot of letters goes inside another.
'go'+'pal'='gopal'
'sam' enclosing 'gopal' is 'SAGO-PALM'.

Can you help me to learn more?

I've seen this clue in the Sydney Morning Herald.
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