Crossword Genius

Surprised man on alert for decorative plant (10)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

ornamental

'decorative plant' is the definition.
(I know that ornamental is a type of decorative plant)

'surprised man on alert' is the wordplay.
'surprised' indicates an anagram.
'man'+'on'+'alert'='manonalert'
'manonalert' anagrammed gives 'ORNAMENTAL'.

'for' is the link.

(Other definitions for ornamental that I've seen before include "Decorative" , "showy" , "non-functional" , "Fancy" , "Plant grown for attractive appearance" .)

I've seen this clue in The Telegraph.
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