azed no 1889

[snikwal]

12 down

Cactus sought- till once taken for play in one!

?ereus

The answer must surely be Cereus a cactus but can anyone explain how it relates to the rest of the clue.

[Prudie]

it's a bit of a flimsy clue I think but guess it's from:

take 'act' (play in one) out of cactus and replace it with 'ere' (meaning once apon a time) giving cereus

[snikwal]

Thankyou.It's obvious now.

[slaney]

Or perhaps ...ere= till (or plough) once