Plant one graduate noticed shooting up (6)
I believe the answer is:
wasabi
'plant' is the definition.
Both the definition and answer are singular nouns.
Perhaps they are linked in a way I don't understand?
'one graduate noticed shooting up' is the wordplay.
'one' becomes 'i' (Roman numeral).
'graduate' becomes 'BA' (someone with a Bachelor of Arts degree).
'noticed' becomes 'saw' (I've seen this in another clue).
'shooting up' says the letters should be written backwards.
'i'+'ba'+'saw'='ibasaw'
'ibasaw' back-to-front is 'WASABI'.
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for wasabi that I've seen before include "Strong-tasting Japanese paste" , "Hollyhock" , "condiment? Japanese actually" , "Pungent green paste used in Japanese cuisine" , "Sushi condiment" .)