The crossword solution for the term 'prefix for -phyte' is NEO, which is a three-letter word. NEO is a prefix derived from the Greek word neos, meaning 'NEW'. It is commonly used in scientific terms to refer to something that is newly formed or recently developed. For example, a neophyte is someone who is NEW to a particular field or activity. Similarly, a neophyte plant is a newly formed or recently developed plant.