Noticed best lupins seeded from the centre (6)

I believe the answer is:

espied

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'noticed' is the definition.
(I've seen this in another clue)

I cannot understand how the rest of the clue works.

(Other definitions for espied that I've seen before include "Caught sight of (poetic)" , "Caught sight of (archaic)" , "observed in literature" , "Saw (archaic)" , "Watched" .)

I've seen this clue in The Irish Times.

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