A bit of botany for the boys (5)

I believe the answer is:

sepal

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'a bit' is the definition.
(I have seen 'flowery bit' mean 'sepal' so perhaps 'bit' could also mean 'sepal')

I can't explain the remainder of the clue.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for sepal that I've seen before include "flowery bit" , "part of leaf" , "Part of a flowering plant" , "Enclosing part of flower" , "Violet" .)

I've seen this clue in the Evening Standard.

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