American for a small reptile or flower (6)
I believe the answer is:
crocus
'flower' is the definition.
(I've seen this before)
'american for a small reptile' is the wordplay.
'american' becomes 'US' (United States).
'for' means one lot of letters go next to another (I've seen this in other clues).
'a small reptile' becomes 'croc' (short for crocodile; 'small' indicates an abbreviation).
'us' after 'croc' is 'CROCUS'.
'or' acts as a link.
(Other definitions for crocus that I've seen before include "Plant from which saffron is taken" , "Bloomer" , "it's ready for spring" , "Small plant with yellow, purple or white flowers" , "'Spring flower, source of saffron (6)'" .)