This is more of a general question regarding scientific classification but I only became curious recently; why are there so many different names for Mimosa tenuiflora, and why is Mimosa hostilis the most commonly used name? Why not Mimosa cabrera? How do the names Jeruma preta and Tepezcohuite play into everything?

LD,
I commend you for inquiry into the fundamentals! Great pleasure in learning the spice!
Dig Entropymancer's superb post on Jungle Spice and related questions - grab the pdf and skip to the section "V. Botanical Confustication" for juicy details and healthy speculations.
Also, Jurema-Preta (Mimosa tenuiflora [Willd.] Poir.): a Review of its Traditional Use, Phytochemistry and Pharmacology is great stuff, available on Erowid.
Best,
L

Wow, thank you so much! Knowing the fundamentals is key to my learning process. In studying these TEKs especially I find myself pondering the exact natures of the chemical reactions taking place. To know the process is one thing but to understand it completely is something wholly different, and that's my mission. Thank you again for the resources!

Welcome to the Nexus!