I moved into an apartment and this plant sprung up outside, there are 4 plants outside and each has about 4 stalks at the base. I think it is a plant but my roomate thinks its a weed and wants to get rid of it. So my question is what kind of plant is this?
Your plant appears to be polygonum cuspidatum or Japanese knotweed. Once it becomes established it is rather difficult to remove.
I couldn't tell from the way this was presented - with the separate polling form - if we were being asked to identify the plant or not.
I've removed the poll. It's not the kind of question that lends itself to a poll. Yes, it's a weed, and a very nasty one at that.