Crossword Genius

Source of fir-cone? (7)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

conifer

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'source' is the definition.
Although both the answer and definition are singular nouns, I cannot see how they can define each other.

'of fir-cone?' is the wordplay.
'of' is an anagram indicator (the answer comes from or 'of' the letters).
'fir'+'cone'='fircone'
'fircone' is an anagram of 'CONIFER'.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for conifer that I've seen before include "The tree doesn't lose its leaves" , "The tree keeps its leaves" , "Tree such as pine, yew etc" , "Eg, pine, fir or cypress" , "Fir or pine, for example" .)

I've seen this clue in the Sydney Morning Herald.
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