Crossword Genius

Sadly a goner, old Herb (7)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

oregano

'herb' is the definition.
(oregano is a kind of herb)

'sadly a goner old' is the wordplay.
'sadly' indicates anagramming the letters.
'old' becomes 'o' (common abbreviation eg in OE for Old English).
'a'+'goner'='agoner'
'agoner' anagrammed gives 'oregan'.
'oregan'+'o'='OREGANO'

(Other definitions for oregano that I've seen before include "Aromatic culinary herb" , "food flavouring" , "Sweet-smelling herb" , "Wild marjoram" , "Kitchen herb" .)

I've seen this clue in The Times.
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