Puzzle #3 - Please be quiet, I'm doing my daily crossword!

Fill in the crossword using the clues below, if you get stuck, try jumping around to other clues.

A printable PDF copy is available, or you can stop by the Bayer booth (#319) for a printed copy.

Across

went out, as the tide
guard
that would be a __
subterranean plant stem
awesome
it might be in an e-mail header
designer Chanel
often preceded by 'mid-parent' or 'better-parent'
you might have it on your toast in Sydney
it's found on the floor of caves, but not the ceiling
vegetative state
spark
DEI acronym
destructive houseguests?
it might become part of the vertebrae or ribs during development
no, in Scotland
make much of
it's not today
had only a small set of options
many ornamental breeders select for this trait, which is beloved by home gardeners
wrinkly, green sage
gibberish

The solution to the puzzle is a single English word:

Try not to look at these hints unless you get really stuck -- they count against you on the leaderboard!