Crossword Genius

Taking mother along, I go off to get a plant (8)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

magnolia

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

'a plant' is the definition.
(I know that Magnolia is a shrub)

'taking mother along i go off' is the wordplay.
'taking mother' becomes 'ma' (Ma is another word for mother or mum. I am not sure about the 'taking' bit.).
'go off' is an anagram indicator.
'along'+'i'='alongi'
'alongi' with letters rearranged gives 'gnolia'.
'ma'+'gnolia'='MAGNOLIA'

'to get' acts as a link.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for magnolia that I've seen before include "Fragrant bloom might strangely gain loam" , "Omani lag (anag)" , "Flower" , "Miss Hawks in Show Boat" , "Tree with creamy-white flowers" .)

I've seen this clue in the Evening Standard.
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