We abandoned hydrogen plant (4)
I believe the answer is:
iris
'plant' is the definition.
(type of flower)
I cannot understand how the rest of the clue works.
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for iris that I've seen before include "Fleur-de-lys" , "Pupil is at the centre of this" , "Lily" , "One controlling pupil' s reactions" , "Pupil's place?" .)