Perennial hosed gently drinks (5)
I believe the answer is:
sedge
'perennial' is the definition.
The definition and answer can be both plants as well as being singular nouns.
Perhaps they are linked in a way I don't understand?
'hosed gently drinks' is the wordplay.
'drinks' says the answer is hidden in the clue (words in the clue have absorbed the answer).
'SEDGE' can be found hidden inside 'hosed gently'.
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for sedge that I've seen before include "Wetland grass-like plant" , "Herons" , "Marsh-dweller" , "water-loving vegetation" , "Plant like grass" .)