Crossword Genius

Reason egghead left plant... (9)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

groundsel

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

'reason egghead left' is the wordplay.
'reason' becomes 'grounds' (grounds or justification for a particular action).
'egghead' becomes 'e' (head letter of 'egg').
'left' becomes 'l' (common abbreviation).
'grounds'+'e'+'l'='GROUNDSEL'

(Other definitions for groundsel that I've seen before include "Plant of daisy family" , "feed to the birds" , "Common weed" , "plant, unwanted?" .)

I've seen this clue in The Daily Express.
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