Crossword Genius

Not wholly adored, leafy climbing plant (5)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

elder

'plant' is the definition.
(I know that elder is a type of shrub)

'not wholly adored leafy climbing' is the wordplay.
'not wholly' indicates a hidden word (I've seen this in other clues).
'climbing' says the letters should be written backwards (in a down clue, letters climb up).
'redle' is hidden within 'adored leafy'.
'redle' back-to-front is 'ELDER'.

(Other definitions for elder that I've seen before include "comparatively aged" , "Bush" , "Earlier born" , "Tree; of greater age" , "Senior churchman - shrub" .)

I've seen this clue in The Telegraph.
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