The Los Angeles City Attorney's office says the former park supervisor cut down non-native plants in one of the largest coastal wetlands in Southern California, killing a ficus tree and myoporum shrubs.

He is facing six misdemeanor charges that include injuring vegetation without permission. Each count could bring jail time and thousands of dollars in fines.

"Trimming and landscaping isn't done without authorization from government agencies," said Frank Mateljan of the city attorney's office.

For decades, many Californians saw native flora as dry, brown shrubs and grasses better suited to kindling than a garden. Recently, however, landscape designers both professional and amateur have come to favor native species, which require minimal water or polluting fertilizer.

Environmentalists also warn that non-native species of plants can harm indigenous ones. For example, myoporum shrubs, a hardy species with waxy green leaves, can crowd out less vigorous native plants that are home to various animals.

"I love the wetlands and I care about the endangered species that live there, the plants and animals," van de Hoek said, his voice trailing off with emotion.

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I am passionate about California native plants, and I have several in my garden, so I have sympathy with this guy. (And people who think California natives are "dry, brown shrubs" haven't got a clue what they're talking about and/or have very narrow ideas about beauty.)

People should be rewarded for removing myoporum and ficus from California wetlands, especially considering what is going on in our native park areas.