17 Across

NYT Daily ? September 13, 2025

Sort of habitat in a bottle garden

Answer:

CLOSEDECOSYSTEM

Hint:

Think of a self-sustaining miniature world where plants and microorganisms recycle air and water without outside help—like a sealed glass jar. The name describes its isolated, balanced nature.

Explanation:

A "bottle garden" is a self-contained plant environment, which fits the idea of a "closed ecosystem"—a system where plants, soil, and moisture recycle without outside input. The clue hints at this by describing a "sort of habitat" (ecosystem) that’s enclosed (closed) in a bottle. The answer combines "closed" and "ecosystem" directly, with no wordplay or hidden tricks.

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General solving tip

When a clue says 'informally,' 'slangily,' or 'casually,' think slang, clipped forms, or texting abbreviations. Try the short casual word you'd use in speech or a message.

More tips → General Hints