LING, while not a word most of us use every day, is extremely popular with crossword compilers. It can mean either [1] a type of FISH or [2] a type of plant, similar to HEATHER. ERICA is also a name for HEATHER. Cue any number of bad puns....
That's exactly how all of these puzzles make me feel! (Let me conveniently ignore how Melanie gives us a huge head-start with the Constructor's Note lesson each time!)