What's the difference between these two... ??
 

What is the difference between Aerangis splendida and Aerangis distincta? I can't find a discernible difference just poking around on the internet, and since I was looking into purchasing one of the cooler-growing members of the genus, I came across these two and was stumped. Are they actually different species, is one name just outdated, or what?

Thanks!

I can't really help you myself, but have you looked at their IOSPE pages?
IOSPE PHOTOS
IOSPE PHOTOS

If not, perhaps they'll tell you something. I was unable to really sense much difference from reading them. But I'm sure someone with some more knowledge on Aerangis species will come along.

Yeah, I have seen those and a bunch of other photos of both flowers and foliage from both species - I can't find a difference. It says there the blooming season is a little different between the two, but other than that, I guess one is fragrant and the other is not. Even so, those differences are within the range of discrepancy between different characteristics culture recommendations for other orchids I've read about. There's got to be at least a tiny physical difference in there somewhere....

According to the scientific publications I am finding on them right now, they are indeed two very distinct species. But I'm having trouble finding out what exactly are physical differences! The botanical descriptions are nearly identical.

Distincta is apparently much rarer than splendida, but other than that... I'll keep researching the question

Other than the distincta flowers being slightly larger I cannot see a difference either.

Different growin/blooming seasons and distincta is fragrant while splendida is not ...

"One distinction Jay states is that distincta is fragrant and splendida is not.
They might also have different blooming seasons - from Jay's icons - distincta - winter, spring, summer and splendida - summer, fall"
- copied from your intro thread where you asked the same question
:)

... And so a clearer picture emerges. Many thanks to those who replied!

Very often, distinctions between similar plants is done based upon very small lip features, or sometimes pollinia - stuff that isn't apparent on quick observation, especiallly of internet photos.

According to the kew bulletin, splendida always has a loose cork-screw twist in the spur, whereas distincta has a straight spur. A very noticeable difference, and supported by Joyce Stewart as well as Isobyl la Croix. Also, the leaves of distincta are widest at the end, forming a fish-tail like shape. Splendida widens then slightly narrows and is more rounded. Unfortunately it seems that most plants in cultivation labeled splendida are actually distincta. Here's a link.