Crossword Genius

Spend heaps left in plant (7)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

splurge

I'm a little stuck... Click here to teach me more about this clue!

'spend' is the definition.
(I know that consume is a is a more specific form of the action of splurge)

'heaps left in plant' is the wordplay.
'heaps left' becomes 'l' (common abbreviation. I am not sure about the 'heaps' bit.).
'in' indicates putting letters inside.
'plant' becomes 'spurge' (spurge is a shrub).
'l' put inside 'spurge' is 'SPLURGE'.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for splurge that I've seen before include "Bout of extravagant spending" , "Binge, fling" , "excessive amount" , "Orgy" , "Not very well" .)

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