These are not dandelion flowers, but one of its cousins that belong to the same family, the Asteraceae family. Scientifically referred to as Tussilago farfara, translation: cough dispeller. It blooms before its leaves appear.
Look for it along streams and wet ditches at the edge of the woods.
Both flowers and leaves have been used for centuries to soothe throat and lung conditions. It does contain pyrrolizidine alkaloids, and so caution when using has been advised. I use the leaves in cough syrups and lung remedies, and I don’t use it too often.
Do you use coltsfoot, and if, yes how so?
For identification purpose, how does flowering coltsfoot differ visually from dandelion in bloom? How do you tell them apart?
Dandelion plan map from our book Foraging & Feasting: A Field Guide and Wild Food Cookbook by Dina Falconi, illustrated by Wendy Hollender. Book Link: http://bit.ly/1Auh44Q