rt8

[j4277]

18d raise growths with hollow tube (5) - ***** ????

[kayakamina]

Straw......warts

[j4277]

really? seems rather obtuse to me, or am i thick?

[kayakamina]

Hollow tube = Straw

Growths raised warts <........ie straw reversed.

[j4277]

thank you - so is the answer warts?...or straw?!!!

[kayakamina]

It is straw!

[Aquagility]

At a push, you could take this clue either way. Be guided by what other letters you have.

[Aquagility]

Sorry, K, didn't see your post.

[j4277]

thk u both - sadly i have no other letters to help, so was undecided which way round it could be! will go with straw and see how that helps - only two left to solve, both affected by this answer!

[kayakamina]

Generally there can be no doubt which way the answer will run.
As this is a down clue the word play is upwards/raised . Were it an across clue the indicator would be something like 'return,back reversed'etc.
The definition in this particular example is a hollow tube and the word play is 'raised'

Good luck. K

[Aquagility]

Point taken, K. And thanks, as ever, for sage advice. Aq.

[j4277]

i echo Aq's comments. thx again.