The most common and most likely answer to this crossword clue is the 6 letter word PALEAE
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The cryptic/wordplay part
In cryptic crossword there's often an wordplay/cryptic part as well.This part involves a more complex hint, such as an anagram, homophone, hidden word, etc.
Sadly, We don't have an explanation for this specific crossword clue yet.
What does PALEAE mean?
PALEAE noun- The interior chaff or husk of grasses.
- One of the chaffy scales or bractlets growing on the receptacle of many compound flowers, such as the sunflower.
- A pendulous process of the skin on the throat of a bird, as in the turkey; a dewlap.