Crossword Genius

Pepper's appearance rooted in stone, initially odd (8)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

pimiento

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

'pepper's' is the definition.
(pimiento is a kind of pepper)

'appearance rooted in stone initially odd' is the wordplay.
I cannot really understand how this works, but
'appearance' could be 'mien' (I've seen this in another clue) and 'mien' is found within the answer.
'stone' could be 'pit' (synonyms) and 'pit' is present in the remaining letters.
A single letter 'o' remains which might be clued in a way I don't understand.
This may be the basis of the clue (or it may be nonsense).

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for pimiento that I've seen before include "Red sweet pepper" , "What's sweet yet spicy" , "Sweet red capsicum" , "Kitchen ingredient" , "Allspice" .)

I've seen this clue in The Times.
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