The stems are dark green with either no or very few visible lenticels. Lenticels are brown and may be seen below the upper node on internodes. Some dark green lenticels may be seen in areas where there is chlorosis on the stem. The absence of lenticels means that the stem is smoother to touch than other varieties. The internodes are usually short. The very low number of lenticels and dark green colouration of the stem are key features of this kava type. Yalu was found to be cultivated on Vanua Levu, Viti Levu and Kadavu. Local names used to describe Yalu include: Badrau (on Vanua Levu), Karawa (on Viti Levu) and Mocikawa (on Kadavu). 

The stems are green with few lenticels which occur mainly in the top two thirds of the internode. The lenticels are a darker green than the surrounding stems and often have raised brown centres. The size of the dark colouration around lenticels varies between plants. Some dark green colouration or striping may be seen above the lower node of the internode in some plants. The internodes are generally long. The small number of green lenticels near the top of the internode is a key characteristic of this kava type. The long internode length distinguishes Qila balavu from Yonolulu. Qila balavu has been observed being cultivated on Viti Levu and Taveuni. Local names used to describe Qila balavu include: Dakua (on Viti Levu), Dokobana vula, and Badrau (on Taveuni). 

The stems have very few lenticels, occurring mainly in the top third of each internode, and the stems exhibit some purple colour. Colouration in the internode varies between plants, from mainly green through to dark purple. Colour in the internode is darkest above the lower node and becoming lighter towards the top of each internode. Lenticels are purple and often with raised brown coloured centres. Internodes vary in length and are often short and thick but may be long. This kava type is distinguished by the relatively low number of dark or purple coloured lenticels on their internodes and the purple pigmentation in the stems. Damu is cultivated on Vanua Levu, Ovalau, Kadavu and Taveuni. Local names used to describe Damu include: Damu (on Vanua Levu, Taveuni, and Ovalau), Kasa Damu (on Vanua Levu), Yalu (on Taveuni), and Kasakasa Kula (on Kadavu). 

The stems are pale green with many small dark green lenticels spread over the length of each internode. The internodes are usually short and the stems are generally thick, with

pronounced nodes and a narrow “waist” in the internode. The large number of green lenticels is a key character of both Vula kasa leka and Vula kasa balavu. The short length of the internodes is the character that defines Vula kasa leka from Vula kasa balavu, and this distinction can be difficult to make.  Vula kasa leka has been observed being cultivated on Vanua levu, Viti levu, Ovalau and Kadavu. Local names used to describe Vula kasa leka include: Bisinisi (on Vanua levu), Vau leka (on Vanua levu), Diria (on Viti levu), Dokobana (on Ovalau) and Karawa (on Kadavu). 

The stems have many lenticels along the length of the internode and are dark purple to black in colour. Lenticels are raised, often with dark brown centres. Some green colour may be seen through the purple pigmentation, but the dark colouration dominates. Petioles are generally dark red/purple in colour and the point on the leaf where the petiole joins the leaf has some purple colouration. The internodes are generally long. Loa kasa balavu and Loa kasa leka are very similar in appearance, but differ in the length of the internodes with loa kasa balavu being longer. Loa kasa balavu has been observed being cultivated on Vanua Levu, Taveuni, Ovalau and Kadavu. Local names used to describe Loa kasa balavu include: Dokobana loa (on Vanua Levu and Taveuni), Loa kasa balavu (on Vanua Levu), Dokobana loa balavu (on Vanua Levu), Loa (on Ovalau and Kadavu) and Kabakabavale (on Kadavu).