Crossword Genius

Type of oil lines in strange creation (10)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

citronella

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

'type of oil' is the definition.
The definition suggests a singular noun which matches the answer.

'lines in strange creation' is the wordplay.
I cannot quite see how this works, but
'lines' could be 'll' (l is an abbreviation for line) and 'll' is found within the answer.
an anagram of 'creation' is 'citronea' which is present in the left over letters.
No letters remain.
This may be the basis of the clue (or it may be nonsense).

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for citronella that I've seen before include "Insect-repelling oil" , "South Asian grass" .)

I've seen this clue in The Independent.
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