Tiny holes in floor covering in colonnade (7)

I believe the answer is:

stomata

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'tiny holes' is the definition.
'stomata' can be an answer for 'holes' (stoma is a kind of hole). I'm unsure of the 'tiny' bit.

'floor covering in colonnade' is the wordplay.
'floor covering' becomes 'mat' (a mat is a floor covering).
'in' is an insertion indicator.
'colonnade' becomes 'stoa' (architectural term).
'mat' put inside 'stoa' is 'STOMATA'.

'in' is the link.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for stomata that I've seen before include "Minute leaf pore" , "Plant pores" , "Openings" .)

I've seen this clue in The Times.

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