Crossword Genius

Reportedly ranks popular fruit (7)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

rosehip

'fruit' is the definition.
(fruit of a rose plant)

'reportedly ranks popular' is the wordplay.
'reportedly' shows a homophone (sound like).
'ranks' becomes 'rows' (rank can mean a row or line of things).
'popular' becomes 'hip' (hip can mean trendy or popular).
'rows' sounds like 'rose'.
'rose'+'hip'='ROSEHIP'

(Other definitions for rosehip that I've seen before include "Wayside fruit" , "Fruit of a popular flower" , "Wild fruit for syrup" , "Part of plant" , "Hedgerow or garden fruit" .)

I've seen this clue in The Independent.
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