Sycophants perhaps saw some poisonous growth (9)

I believe the answer is:

toadstool

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'growth' is the definition.
(I have seen 'Fungal growth' mean 'toadstool' so perhaps 'growth' could also mean 'toadstool')

I cannot understand how the rest of the clue works.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for toadstool that I've seen before include "Umbrella-shaped cap on a stalk" , "Plant akin to mushroom" , "Capped fungus" , "Poisonous fungus" , "jack-o'-lantern?" .)

I've seen this clue in The Hindu.

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