ABSTRACT The original communities have relevant elements such as, phytogenetic resources, ethnic identity and traditional knowledge, which has allowed them to remain with their own distinctive traits, achieving their cultural, social and economic development. In this sense, the present investigation determined the ethnic identity, the traditional knowledge and the importance of the local phytogenetic resources susceptible to be exploited as key elements for the proposal of alternatives for the sustainable socio-economic development in a Mazahua community. The information was collected during December 2016 through semi-structured surveys, applied to 57 women and men from the community of Rincón de los Pirules. To define the level of ethnic identity, traditional knowledge and phytogenetic resources of greater significance for the inhabitants, an analysis of main components and conglomerates was carried out. The results show that 39% of the population has a strong ethnic identity defined by the pride of belonging and 49% possess a high traditional knowledge associated with agricultural practices. In addition, 48 plant genetic resources were identified, highlighting the pumpkin (Cucurbita sp.), The gladiola (Gladiolus sp.), The cempasuchil (Tagetes sp.) And the perlilla rod (Symphoricarpos sp.) For its dual purpose of use. Six groups were defined, the most representative being women with scarce traditional knowledge that glimpse pumpkin (Cucurbita sp.) And gladiola (Gladiolus sp.) With potential for commercial use. Another group are women with high traditional knowledge who consider the cempasúchil (Tagetes sp.) As an important resource for its use. However, it is important to identify marketing channels and promote the sustainable production of these crops in community development plans. Keywords: plant resources, local knowledge, worldview, local development