He had another court day on Sept. 7.

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 that is native to New Zealand and has waxy green leaves, can crowd out less vigorous native plants that are home to various animals.

Van de Hoek arrived for an arraignment last week looking ill at ease in a borrowed navy blazer that hung limply on his gangly frame. He also brought attorney Thomas Mesereau Jr., famous for defending Michael Jackson against molestation charges brought by what he cast as overzealous prosecutors.

After the case was postponed, Mesereau would only say that his client would plead not guilty.