Recalled case of patchy crop growth (5)
I believe the answer is:
polyp
'growth' is the definition.
(I know that polyp is a type of growth)
'recalled case of patchy crop' is the wordplay.
'recalled' says the letters should be written backwards (to recall can mean to bring something back).
'case of' means to remove the middle letters (outsides of).
'crop' becomes 'lop' (synonyms).
'patchy' with its centre removed is 'py'.
'py'+'lop'='pylop'
'pylop' in reverse letter order is 'POLYP'.
(Other definitions for polyp that I've seen before include "Minute reef-building creature" , "Small unwanted growth in the body" , "Small tumour" , "Sea anemone, perhaps" , "Small growth (medical)" .)