Highlights

Botanical Name
Koelreuteria paniculata
Year
2005
Location
Capitol Square, S.W.
U.S. Capitol Grounds
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Text of the Plaque

U.S. Capitol Grounds
Commemorative Tree

Koelreuteria paniculata
(Golden Raintree)

To Honor Nobel Peace Laureate
Wangari Maathai of Kenya

Sponsored by
Rep. Barbara Lee

Planted on May 11, 2005

Honoree Details

With advanced degrees in biology, Wangari Maathai was both an environmentalist and a political activist. In 1977, she led a national movement to reforest Kenya. Her organization is credited with planting about 30 million trees and  making it a project for as many as 30,000 underemployed women.

Tree Details

The tree's most notable ornamental characteristic is the showy yellow flowers in early summer.

Image Gallery

The Wangari Maathai tree on U.S. Capitol Grounds in spring.
The Wangari Maathai tree on U.S. Capitol Grounds in spring.
The Wangari Maathai tree on U.S. Capitol Grounds in summer.
The Wangari Maathai tree on U.S. Capitol Grounds in summer.
The Wangari Maathai tree on U.S. Capitol Grounds in winter.
The Wangari Maathai tree on U.S. Capitol Grounds in winter.