The most common and most likely answer to this crossword clue is the 8 letter word MANDRAKE
I've seen this crossword clue in The Guardian
M
A
N
D
R
A
K
E
More clues leading to the result MANDRAKE
- Exotic plant explorer found on island
- Create circles with river plant that's toxic
- Male bird identifying poisonous plant
- Circumnavigator on staff discovers magical plant
- Murphy’s relative operated tool, we hear
- Fellow explorer finds a poisonous plant
- Fellow introducing duck to plant
- Turgidson finally slices bananas with tool for scraping plant
- Fellow explorer finds plant
- ‘Cm’ and ‘Ra’: key when unmasking supplier of narcotics
Buddy explains!
The straight part
We know that "poisonous plant" is the straight/definition part of the clue. The straight part is often a synonym or definition, in this case poisonous plant = mandrake.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 MANDRAKE mean?
MANDRAKE noun- A mandragora, a kind of tiny demon immune to fire.
- Any plant of the genus Mandragora, certain of which are said to have medicinal properties; the root of these plants often resembles the shape of a small person, hence occasioning various mythic, magical, or occult uses.
- A root of a mandrake plant that resembled human form, especially one kept or used for magic or occult purposes.
- The drug methaqualone.