Crossword Genius

Rushes small deer back (5)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

reeds

'rushes' is the definition.
(I've seen this in another clue)

'small deer back' is the wordplay.
'small' becomes 's' (abbreviation - e.g. clothes size).
'back' says the letters should be written in reverse.
's'+'deer'='sdeer'
'sdeer' reversed gives 'REEDS'.

(Other definitions for reeds that I've seen before include "Tall riverside grasses" , "Water plants" , "Woodwind instruments" , "Marsh plants with tall straight stems" , "River grasses" .)

I've seen this clue in The Mirror.
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