Group of fir trees, little ones, not British (5)

I believe the answer is:

abies

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'group of fir trees' is the definition.
'abies' can be an answer for 'trees' (I've seen this before). I am unsure of the 'group of fir' bit.

I don't understand how the rest of the clue works.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for abies that I've seen before include "trees" , "Tree" .)

I've seen this clue in The Sunday Times and The Times.

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