Re-investigation of species-rich late Tournaisian floras at Oxroad Bay reveals eight plant-bearing exposures that represent four distinct stratigraphic levels. The allochthonous megafossil assemblages vary in degrees of disarticulation, modes of preservation and taxonomic composition. Within-site stratigraphic distributions are presented for 43 anatomically-preserved organ-species; of these, 12 are new to science, 18 have not previously been recorded at the locality, 21 are illustrated from the locality for the first time and 19 are currently considered endemic. Another six have been recorded in error from unprovenanced water-worn blocks. Nineteen adpressed organ-species are also described. Methods and concepts of whole-plant reconstruction are reviewed. At least 11 whole-plant species occur at Oxroad Bay. The lycopsids comprise an enigmatic plant with an Asteroxylon-like stele and two morphologically- and ecologically-distinct species of Oxroadia. A new species of Protocalamites demonstrates the earliest evidence of heterospory and tuberoid stem-bases in the sphenopsid clade. Cladoxylon and Stauropteris represent the pteropsids. At least five lyginopterid pteridosperm species are present. They include both trees (Eristophyton, Bilignea) and shrubs/pseudoherbs (e.g. Tetrastichia and the Triradioxylon–Calathopteris–Oxroadopteris–‘Tristichia’ plexus), suggesting a range of life strategies. Their diversity has complicated attempts to reconstruct whole-plants, though attachment is demonstrated between several ovules and cupules, and several ovules and pollen-organs are correlated using shared microspores. Elements of particular evolutionary significance include the ‘megacupule’ Calathospermum and a structurally similar pollen-organ aggregate, a bisexual Pullaritheca cupule, and a complete ontogenetic sequence of Hydrasperma ovules. Comparable Dinantian floras are reviewed.

Fifteen specimens of Eristophyton stems from the Lower Carboniferous Cementstone Group of Berwickshire and East Lothian have been examined. Three possess medullary rays comparable to E. waltonii Lacey, the others have rays like E. beinertianum (Göpp.) Zalessky. In one specimen assigned to E. waltonii a leaf-trace subdivides outside the secondary xylem to form an arc of six separate bundles. Another stem of E. waltonii has attached closely spaced petiole bases one of which is clearly identifiable as Lyginorachis with six vascular bundles arranged in an arc. Stems of Eristophyton from five localities occur associated with petioles or rachises possessing a U-shaped vascular bundle with abaxial ridges like L. waltonii Calder. As these may occur mixed with rachises agreeing with L. brownii Calder the latter is regarded as synonymous. Detached petioles found associated with E. beinertianum may possess four or six basal bundles. The evidence suggests that the U-shaped petiolar bundle passes down into four then six basal bundles and such petioles are associated with both E. waltonii and E. beinertianum. Calder (1935, pl. 1, fig. 2) showed dichotomy in the petiole bundle.

In addition different rachises are known possessing a more massive U-shaped bundle but lacking sclerotic nests and sparganum outer cortex. These are assigned to Cladoxylon edromense sp. nov. Cortical nests occur in both E. waltonii and L. waltonii and may be compared with the sclerotic plates in the compressions of Diplotmema dissectum Brongn. and D. patentissimum Ett.. The evidence supports the view that Eristophyton is a pteridosperm with bifurcate fronds known as L. waltonii Calder when petrified and comparable to Diplotmema when compressed.