Crossword Genius

Purple bloom said to boost a spread I attended (9)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

jacaranda

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

'purple bloom' is the definition.
The answer and definition can be both plants as well as being singular nouns.
Maybe there's an association between them I don't understand?

'said to boost a spread i attended' is the wordplay.
I cannot quite see how this works, but
'a' could be 'an' and 'an' is present in the answer.
'i' could be 'a' and 'a' is found in the answer.
This may be the basis of the clue (or it may be nonsense).

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for jacaranda that I've seen before include "exotic wood" , "Tropical flowering tree" , "Tropical American tree" , "Tropical tree with fern-like leaves" , "Tree common in Pretoria, South Africa" .)

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