Crossword Genius

Yellowish-white gold plant placed outside (5)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

ivory

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

'yellowish-white' is the definition.
I can't judge whether this defines the answer.

'gold plant placed outside' is the wordplay.
'gold' becomes 'or' ('or' is the heraldic name for gold).
'plant' becomes 'ivy' (ivy is a plant).
'placed outside' indicates putting letters inside.
'or' placed within 'ivy' is 'IVORY'.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for ivory that I've seen before include "Shade of white" , "recluse's tower?" , "Substance of elephant's tusk" , "Key material" , "Jumbo's dentine" .)

I've seen this clue in The Independent.
Want a hint initially instead of a full solution? Install my app