Crossword Genius

Lanky, like unwanted plants (5)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

weedy

I'm a little stuck... Click here to teach me more about this clue!

'lanky' is the definition.
(I've seen this in another clue)

'like unwanted plants' is the wordplay.
I cannot really see how this works, but
'like' could be 'y' (similar in meaning) and 'y' is located in the answer.
The remaining letters 'weed' is a valid word which might be clued in a way I don't see.
This may be the basis of the clue (or it may be nonsense).

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for weedy that I've seen before include "Scraggy" , "Skinny" , "like an untended flower bed?" , "scrawny" , "quite unlike Charles Atlas" .)

I've seen this clue in The Globe and Mail.
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