Crossword Genius

Turk of high rank criticise like that? Ornamental blue South African flower? (10)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

agapanthus

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

'ornamental blue south african flower?' is the definition.
'agapanthus' can be an answer for 'flower?' (I've seen this before). I am unsure of the 'ornamental blue south african' bit.

'turk of high rank criticise like that?' is the wordplay.
'turk of high rank' becomes 'aga' (I can't justify this - if you can you should believe this answer much more).
'criticise' becomes 'pan' (informal term meaning to criticise heavily).
'like that?' becomes 'thus' (as in 'like so').
'aga'+'pan'+'thus'='AGAPANTHUS'

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for agapanthus that I've seen before include "Southern African plant of the lily family -- haunts a gap (anag)" , "Bloomer" , "flower" , "garden plant" , "Flowers" .)

I've seen this clue in the Sydney Morning Herald.
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