| VAR | In botanical plant naming, this contraction is a variety: below a species and subspecies, but above |
| ZERO | The leek variety 'Below ___' and the daylily 'Absolute ___' will both come to nothing! (4) |
| ARROWROOT | Starch obtained from the tubers of a West Indian plant, naming a popular type of biscuit (9) |
| BARONET | Below a baron but above a knight (7) |
| SQUADRONLEADER | What RAF rank is below wing commander but above flight lieutenant? (8,6) |
| ALBUM | This photographic collection means 'white' in Latin plant naming (5) |
| SUBSOIL | The layer of earth just below the surface but above the bedrock (7) |
| SEEM | But above all, in order to be, never try to ____ , per Albert Camus |
| QUINCE | Sacred to Aphrodite and often depicted in botanical art, a fruit related to medlars and apples, used for membrillo, marmalade or jelly with rose geranium (6) |
| PEAR | Depicted in botanical art, breakfast pieces or still lifes, a pome grown in an orchard or in the espalier-style (4) |
| GENUS | Taxonomic group that ranks above species and below family (5) |
| BEE | The pollination of crops provided by ___ species and other organisms contributes to food production and is considered an example of an ecosystem service (3) |
| OLEANDER | Single species and common name of Nerium - a lone red sort (8) |
| WHITECASTLE | Sen. Ted Cruz was criticized in 2018 for naming this fast food chain's burgers as his favorite, since his state of Texas has none of its restaurants |
| MAKO | Shark species, and a former DB beer (4) |
| CORSICA | A viola species and its French island origins (7) |
| CONCH | Name for medium-to-large sea-snails and their shells, so many of the shells have been taken as souvenirs from Spanish beaches that they are now considered an endangered species and are protected by la |
| PRAGMATIC | Quietly tease mother ? contraction is sensible (9) |
| DEVALERA | American poet torn about naming this great Irish rebel |
| ITSHARD | The Who had difficulty naming this album (3-4) |
