Crossword Genius

Old lag setting fire to plant (7)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

conifer

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

'plant' is the definition.
The answer is an example.

'old lag setting fire' is the wordplay.
'old lag' becomes 'con' (both can mean a convict. I am not sure about the 'old' bit.).
'setting' indicates an anagram.
'fire' with letters rearranged gives 'ifer'.
'con'+'ifer'='CONIFER'

'to' is the link.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for conifer that I've seen before include "The tree doesn't lose its leaves" , "Fir or larch, for example" , "Tree such as pine, yew etc" , "Type of tree" , "Fir or pine, for example" .)

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