For the first time, the surface composite Cassie-Baxter wetting state is carefully investigated using ginkgo biloba as natural model. Investigations follow two directions: (a) low local solid contact areal fraction leading to high apparent contact angles; and (b) thick air plastron trapped at the contacting interface leading to stable dewetting state.

The fossil record of Ginkgo leaf and reproductive organs has been well dated to the Mid-Jurassic (170 Myr). However, the fossil wood record that can safely be assigned to Ginkgoales has not yet been reported from strata predating the late Early Cretaceous (ca. 100 Myr). Here, we report a new fossil wood from the Mid-Late Jurassic transition deposit (153-165 Myr) of northeastern China. The new f...