Substitutes some plants (7)
I believe the answer is:
runners
This might be a double definition.
'substitutes' is the first definition.
The definition and answer can be both people as well as being plural nouns.
Maybe you can see an association between them that I don't see?
'some plants' is the second definition.
The answer and definition can be both man-made objects as well as being plural nouns.
Maybe they are linked in a way I don't understand?
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for runners that I've seen before include "Joggers" , "Branches from the base of plant that produce new plants" , "They deliver messages on foot" , "Horizontal branches that produce new plants" , "Shoots" .)