Huang Lian's direct translation means "Yellow Links." I'm not exactly sure why "links"? Huang Lian looks similar to Huang Qin, and has similar functions as well, but there are some notable differences. First, Huang Lian's appearance is more orange-y, kind of like it was soaked in a bath of Cheetos dust. So, it is quite possible to tell them apart.
As far as their nature goes, Huang Qin is cold, and Huang Lian is very cold. They are both bitter, but Huang Lian is even more bitter.
Channel Comparison:
Huang Qin: LU/LI, ST, GB
Huang Lian: HT, LI, ST, LIV
Both go to the Large Intestine, but where Huang Qin goes to the Lung, Huang Lian is going to the Heart. Huang Qin to the Gallbladder, and Huang Lian to the Liver.
They both serve the function of draining damp heat from the middle (ST) and lower (LI) burner, manifested as diarrhea and dysentery. But Huang Lian also works for vomit and acid regurg. They also both resolve fire toxicity. Huang Lian, because it is colder, is good for "blazing fire" resulting in high fever, irritability, delirium, sore throat, and eye pain. Both also stop bleeding. Where Huang Lian really differs, though, is with the heart channel connection--it will assist with insomnia, and also clears topical heat going to the tongue and mouth (ulcerations such as herpes), and it will help clear up LV Qi Stag w/ heat (heat moves into the middle burner, causing bleeding ulcers) because it goes to the Liver channel.
The plants also look quite different, above the root level. Here is Huang Lian:
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